Here are the top 5 reasons why you should switch to Linux on your laptop
If you are a little more adventurous and are prepared to select some other operating system than Mac OS or Windows 10, then you may want to try Linux. This operating system not only has a lot of features that saves your time but also makes your working a little less boring. The best part is that Live Installations let you try out the software before you wipe your entire hard drive.
Linux is available in different flavors called distros (distributions) and the choice is yours which one you want to opt for. By far, Ubuntu is the most popular desktop distro and is a good place to start for novices. In this article, the focus is on that. However, once you have understood the basics, please feel free to go ahead the pros and cons of some others.
1. You don’t have to abandon Windows (or OS X)
In order to try Linux-Ubuntu, you need not ditch Windows (or Mac OS). Ubuntu can run very happily on a dual-boot system or even directly from a USB drive. To get up and running, follow the instructions provided on the Ubuntu website: you need a USB stick at least 2GB in size or a blank DVD, and the setup process is very candid.
The advantage of using a USB drive or DVD is that your present OS remains unscathed. Alternatively, performance and receptiveness to a certain extent won’t be good. Also, in terms of some system operations you are restricted (you need to create a USB stick with the persistence option enabled in order to install apps and save files permanently).
2. It’s easy to install
Previously, the less tech-savvy people found it a little difficult setting up software and popular codecs on Linux; however, that is not the case anymore. For instance, Ubuntu encourages you to download codecs for commonly used audio and video formats with a single check box. It can immediately identify available Wi-Fi networks on most modern systems and connect up to them.
It is no surprise that veteran Windows and Mac OS X users may find themselves sometimes confused on how to do something when switching between operating systems of any flavour. However, there’s plenty of support always available on the web. Most users are going set up, run and happily enjoy Linux in a few minutes.
3. It has everything that you need
Ubuntu comes bundled with Firefox for web browsing, Thunderbird for emailing and LibreOffice for making documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Other free and open source applications such as GIMP (image editing), Evolution (the Linux version of Outlook), and Kodi (home theatre and media management) are only a few clicks away.
Other well-known apps with Linux versions include Google Chrome, Skype, VLC Player, Dropbox, Slack, Plex, and Spotify. It also includes all those programs that run in a browser now, from the online versions of Microsoft Office to Google Play Music. If there’s a Windows program that you wish to bring it on the new OS, then try Wine.
4. It is very safe
Since very less number of people use Linux as a desktop OS, the chances of hacking such OS is relatively smaller than the other OSes. Also, it is extremely safe to run your PC on Linux OS. Right from the default given to users to the way that Linux code is developed and maintained, it is designed to keep it secure.
Linux is a very good choice for those who are security conscious, as in the event it crashes and is exposed like any other operating system out there, there are chances that only few pieces of malware will run on the platform, resulting only in limited damages. It’s also less likely to be burdened by bloat and creeping system slowness than its more well-known rivals.
5. You are supporting open source and free software
It is a belief that Linux is more than an operating system. Not only is the software free (for instance, like Google Chrome) but also the source code is open and free (unlike Google Chrome, for instance). You can use the OS and the bundled software completely free of charge, plus also view the code and make changes to it, if you wish to.
You are supporting a global community of millions committed to making software free to install and use when you use Linux. That belief has helped drive improvement on the web and in Windows and OS X, as well as Linux itself. Hence, Linux is a great place to get started if you wish to plunge further into software development.